Fairrosa Press

2013 Newbery Read: Book 8
Just started it. Absolutely appreciated the leading pages — the readers are “lured” tantalizingly to view our protagonist cinematically. I was instantly hooked. It is promising quite an intriguing mystery. I hope it delivers, along with an already fascinating main character.

2013 Newbery Read: Book 7
This one I read as soon as I got my hands on a very early galley. So, it’s not quite fitting the rule — didn’t read it as a finished book. I can easily predict that it will be my favorite book of 2012, although I believe it to be “too old” for the 0-14 age range the Newbery Committee considers.

2013 Newbery Read: Book 6
This one I finished before even having the first meeting with my Committee. Really liked it. Enjoyed the unconventional ways that the author dealt with the writing process. (Got to hear about it at a dinner.) And I thought the book has a lot of heart and much important message that current day kids can benefit from.

2013 Newbery Read: Book 5
LOVE LOVE LOVE this one. The last 1/3 of the book kept me going and going and wanting to know what happens to the people I’ve come to care so much about in the story. The author really knows how to pace the tale — and turn every thing, from smallest mundane occurrences to larger-than-life, quite tall-tale/unreal events, into something with so much heart that you can’t help but FEEL the emotional core of every moment. It has such an uplifting ending (and I’d have to say that some people might find it unbelievably happy) that I felt so satisfied! It also feels Dickensian in this respect. (For those who might pick bones with its happiness, it’s all foreshadowed beautifully by how the narrator looks at the beloved stories in their lives.)

2013 Newbery Read: Book 5
I know I’m slow and behind… but I am also enjoying the lull before the storm :) This one is a keeper, in my mind. The earnest and fresh voice of the first-person narrator, the every day scenes spiced up with the social backdrop, and the author’s well-handled brand of humor just work for me. Can’t wait to finish it!

2013 Newbery Read: Book 4
Didn’t finish the book. The underlying concept is interesting but the pacing is all wrong. Instead of delivering actions and exciting events that the publisher “claims” (on the cover,) there is a lot of exposition and explanation and stipulation. I read half of the book and the “actions” have not really started. There is also the problem of randomly creating a magical object the with no rhyme or reason grants special powers — I think in 2012, the young readers should receive much more grounding in the world building and the fantasy elements must make sense. Too bad. I was excited about this one!

2013 Newbery Read: Book 3
Done and admired it tremendously. The author manages to stay true to the story and gives it quite an uplifting and hopeful ending.

2013 Newbery Read: Book 3
Almost half way through this amazing book. The author’s skill in getting INSIDE the mind of a most unusual protagonist is quite stunning. I’m paying attention to the rhythm of the sentences, the choice of words, and the mindset expressed — I have not spotted any flaws. The book also feels important and I can see it being shared with children of many ages. The reader can get something out of it at every level — from fairly straightforward and simple, but still meaningful, to much deeper and complex commentary about our society and human nature. Hoping for a great second half!

Finished 2013 Newbery Read: Book 1. Really quite liked it almost all the way through. It is yet another reminder of how difficult to deliver a solid and powerful ending with long-lasting impression. (Does every book have to end this way though? Isn’t it good to have something comforting and hopeful, even if it seems a bit quiet and gentle? Doesn’t the main character deserve this uplifting and positive ending after quite a bit of suffering throughout the story?)

2013 Newbery Read: Book 2
It looks like a fantasy (judging from the cover… yes, I do love examining covers of children’s and YA books…. ) but I think it actually is a fantasy — probably a dystopian novel judging from the little blurb I just read. Good adventure for me, then. Excited.

2013 Newbery Read: Book 1.

It starts off right into the character — first person narrative — and the premise definitely fascinates. I’m reading to see how successful the first person voice of a young boy with his particular background holds up, and how the conflicts are introduced and resolved.